Good morning, Fort Mill.

Fort Mill residents will enjoy several fun pre-festival events ahead of the South Carolina Strawberry Festival—like a Soirée at The Clebourne House on April 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., pageants at Fort Mill High School on April 11 and 12 at 7:00 p.m., and a 5K run with family activities on April 26 when the race starts at 9:00 a.m. and the fun run at 10:00 a.m.—with the festival golf tournament on April 29 already full.

Anne Springs Close Greenway said The Taste of Fort Mill event will return on May 2 at the Greenway Gateway Lawn where local restaurants and culinary experts will serve diverse dishes to more than 700 guests—general admission costs $90 and VIP tickets, which offer early access along with a complimentary drink and private dining, are priced at $160.

Kings Town Elementary earned the RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association for its school counseling program - it is the only school in the state to receive this 2025 recognition and will be honored at the ASCA conference in July.

The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority launched the 2025 Palmetto Heroes Program on March 24th to help educators, first responders, and other essential workers become first-time homebuyers — the program offers competitive interest rates and a $10,000 down payment assistance loan with 15-year forgivable, zero percent interest terms. Borrowers must repay the assistance if they sell or stop using the home as their primary residence — strict lender guidelines apply.

Fort Mill girls won the 2025 Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic Track and Field meet at York Comprehensive High School by 0.5 points, with strong performances from Alivia Cleveland, Kaylee Rovenstine, Marlee Cook, and Mia Zook helping them secure the narrow victory.

The boys' competition saw Spartanburg claim the title while Northwestern finished second.

Catawba Ridge High School has posted its athletic calendar for this week for students and families to review upcoming games and events—readers can check the official schedule for complete details.

Little Miss Strawberry Queen Pageant

7-10 p.m. — Fort Mill High School — Tickets available — Celebrate the charm and talent of contestants at the 2025 Little Miss South Carolina Strawberry Festival Pageant.